Hank Balling: That’s All, Folks!

Thanks for everything, Baller.

it’s a bit like Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings leaving for the Undying Lands after his successful journey through Middle earth.
- Henry

Well Hank, thanks for the Blogs Buddy!! It's been fun talking hockey.

Okposo looks like he's gonna cry

Thanks for your years of service during the dark years.

Not that I'm here reading your stuff - I much prefer chatting on Discord with ya - but still worth a visit tonight to give you your accolades for covering the team!!

Guess I need to change your role in Discord now.

Big thanks from this lurker for captaining the ship through this miserable period Hank. Your blogs were often a bright spot in dark times with level perspective and great insight. Whoever replaces you has huge skates to fill, but will have the benefit of a team on the rise with mountains of potential. Looking forward to an off-season of solid moves followed by a 2024 playoff berth. Enjoy whatever you do with the time leaving this behind brings you.

You suck

Hank Balling: That’s All, Folks!
- Hank Balling

Quitter.

I’m with you I should be more excited about this team future but the cynic in me says they will find a way to (frank) this up.

Will you still be a frequent contributor to the comment section of a blog?

Thanks, Hank. Even though I haven't commented as much as I used to, I always liked the blogs.

Pens fans chanting “fire hextall”

Ugh, Hank...say it ain't so. Completely understand where you're coming from. Thanks for falling on the sword (lol) during these dark days. I know it's taken a toll and you deserve to enjoy the good times that are coming outside of this dumpster. So it goes my friend, so it goes.

Thank you Hank!

I hope J Crag will still be coming around.

May the bjustead always be with you…

Very good young team. Remind me of the NYR of 3-4 years ago. Teams fear us now, and we’ll fear you in time. Levi is a stud, that kid is the real deal

Thank you for the time and effort you have put into your pieces. I have appreciated your honesty and oftentimes very insightful commentary. I commend you for sticking it out until the end of the season. Good luck to you in your future endeavors.

Thanks Hank. Good reads always with the right tone.

Don't leave me Hank!! Where will I be able to complain. Seriously Though Thanks for taking the time.

Ryan Johnson wont sign unless Hank is the writer for the Sabres on Hockeybuzz

Hank my man, you are most appreciated. Thank you for keeping this place afloat, even if at times we as a whole didn't deserve it.

So how's everyone feeling today ? Are you Happy with how things went this year.
1- Team showed immense growth and development
2- We have a lot of Young talented players on are roster
3- We found are Goalie of the Future
4- We have some very good prospects that are about to step into bigger roles that will make this team Faster, better Offensively and better Defensively.
IMO some things that need work!!
1- It's a shame that it took so long to find that goalie, really looks to be the difference in us making the playoffs. IMO it was a failure on management in this regard. Just because you tried to acquire a goalie doesn't mean you stop trying. Need to find a decent 1A/B for Levi, but wouldn't be surprised if it's UPL.
2- Defense was another miss by management, they needed help in November December and kept rolling the same crap through the injuries.
All in all there were a lot of positives to take out of this Season. Gonna be a fun Team to watch for years.
But missed Opportunities that need to be corrected and hopefully will be. Important offseason!!

So how's everyone feeling today ? Are you Happy with how things went this year.
1- Team showed immense growth and development
2- We have a lot of Young talented players on are roster
3- We found are Goalie of the Future
4- We have some very good prospects that are about to step into bigger roles that will make this team Faster, better Offensively and better Defensively.
IMO some things that need work!!
1- It's a shame that it took so long to find that goalie, really looks to be the difference in us making the playoffs. IMO it was a failure on management in this regard. Just because you tried to acquire a goalie doesn't mean you stop trying. Need to find a decent 1A/B for Levi, but wouldn't be surprised if it's UPL.
2- Defense was another miss by management, they needed help in November December and kept rolling the same crap through the injuries.
All in all there were a lot of positives to take out of this Season. Gonna be a fun Team to watch for years.
But missed Opportunities that need to be corrected and hopefully will be. Important offseason!!
- Buff36

Nice post,

The players found their rhythm this season. The locker room is healthy.

The front office is still a work in progress, slow and cautious has been the approach. We would be foolish to imagine they change for next season.

The defense and the goaltending as a whole need to improve if they have intentions of stepping up again. Kevyn needs to make that happen.

Nice blog Hank. It's been a good year, thanks for all the reeeds.

Don't leave me Hank!! Where will I be able to complain. Seriously Though Thanks for taking the time.
- Buff36

He says this every year. I still have The Tapes though, so the leverage on him still stands, he'll be back or in the news in a few weeks.